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FSIS Releases Fourth Quarter Salmonella Report
This week, the agency posted to its website the fourth quarterly progress report of calendar year (CY) 2010 on
Salmonella testing of selected raw meat and poultry products.
This report provides preliminary data from October to December 2010 on all establishments eligible for
Salmonella testing that have completed at least two sampling verification sets since June 2006.
As of December 2010, 84 percent of all establishments in all product classes are in Category 1. This illustrates a
slight increase from the third quarter of CY10. From 172 broiler establishments, 1,152 samples were analyzed
with a 9.5 percent positive rate-an increase from a positive rate of 7.4 percent in third quarter CY10.
This table lists percentages of broiler establishments by category as of December 2010.
| Plant Category |
Category 1 |
Category 2T |
Category 2 |
Category 3 |
| Percentage of Broiler Establish- ments |
85 |
5 |
7 |
3 |
The agency continues to post monthly the names of broiler establishments demonstrating variable or inconsistent
process controls. FSIS highlights the performance of the broiler classes because of its negative impact on
foodborne illness. Since April 2008, FSIS has posted the names of broiler carcass establishments in Category 2
and Category 3.
The agency did not post the names for turkey carcass establishments because, until 2010, 90 percent met the current
performance standard, and there were no establishments in Category 3. However, based upon results accumulated during
recent quarters, FSIS has begun to post Category 2 and Category 3 turkey carcass establishments within the
Salmonella Verification Testing Program.
FSIS will continue to post monthly the names of poultry establishments
demonstrating variable or inconsistent process control. The complete report and program details are at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Quarterly_Salmonella_Results/index.asp.
NACMCF Subcommittee to Hold Public Meeting
A subcommittee of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold public
meetings from April 5-7.
NACMCF's subcommittee on the Study of Microbiological Criteria as Indicators of Process Control or Insanitary
Conditions is meeting to develop guidance to assist the Department of Defense (DoD). DoD will use this guidance
in developing refined microbiological and other criteria to better evaluate process control and insanitary conditions
at the point of production.
The meetings will take place on Tuesday, April 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday, April 6, from 8:30 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m.; and Thursday, April 7, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Aerospace Building, 901 D St., SW, Room 369,
Washington, DC.
To participate, contact Karen Thomas-Sharp at (202) 690-6620 or
karen.thomas-sharp@fsis.usda.gov.
Due to increased security measures, all persons wishing to attend must RSVP in advance.
First Phase of FSIS Circuits Scheduled for Implementation
FSIS is preparing to launch the Public Health Information System (PHIS). The system's components will be implemented
in sequential stages, starting with the domestic component.
The domestic component will be implemented in four phases. The first phase of FSIS circuits are scheduled to
begin using PHIS on April 11. Go to www.fsis.usda.gov/PHIS/ for a list of the circuits in this first phase of
implementation.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the
following countries:
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Mexico
- Russia
- South Africa
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/
Regulations_&_Policies/Export_Information/index.asp.
USDA Announces Codex Public Meeting on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
The Office of Food Safety and the Agricultural Marketing Service will co-sponsor a public meeting to receive
public comments and draft US positions that will be discussed during the 16th Session of the Codex Committee on
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables to be held in Mexico.
The meeting is scheduled for April 5, from 10:30 a.m. to noon in room 2068 of USDA's South Building, 1400
Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC. To participate via teleconference, dial (866) 692-3158 and enter the pass
code 5986642.
Agenda items and related documents will be accessible on the Codex website at
www.codexalimentarius.net/current.asp.
To submit written comments or request copies of documents, contact Kenneth Lowery at (202) 690-7760 or
kenneth.lowery@fsis.usda.gov.
FSIS Policy Update
FSIS issues notices and directives to protect public health. The following policy update was recently issued:
- Notice 12-11, How to Proceed in Establishments That Have Multiple FSIS Laboratory Confirmed Residue Violations From the Same Source Supplier
All notices and directives are available at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp.
New Salmonella Standards: A Weekly Industry Progress Update
| Plant Category |
Percentage Complete and Passed as of Mar 21, 2011 |
Percentage That Could Complete and Pass by Mar 31, 2011 |
| Young Chickens |
87.3 (0.6) |
87.4 (-0.6) |
| Young Turkeys |
90.9 (0.0) |
93.9 (0.0) |
FSIS is tracking industry performance to see if 90 percent of poultry slaughter establishments would have met
updated and tightened Salmonella standards for 2010 if they had been in effect. (See the Dec. 17, 2010,
issue of the Constituent Update at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Const_Update_121710/index.asp.)
The table above shows progress as of this week projecting a final best-case possible total with changes from
last week indicated in the parentheses.
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Last Modified:
March 25, 2011 |
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